do i really need a case?

[wolfseeker2828]

So today I decided that I was, just for the heck of it, going to run my system outside of my case. There was no problems, and it was actually a little cooler, but the question is, is it smart? I have it on a 1" thick piece of wood. I was just wondering if there is any adverse effects to running a system outside of its case.

 

[dwthor02]

i wouldnt just bc i have bad luck....i would consider getting a case

 

[skittle]

its not protected from anything... thats really the only disadvantage. I have cats... so i cant do that

 

[croc]

So today I decided that I was, just for the heck of it, going to run my system outside of my case. There was no problems, and it was actually a little cooler, but the question is, is it smart? I have it on a 1" thick piece of wood. I was just wondering if there is any adverse effects to running a system outside of its case.

I forget who, but there was a forum user that ran his system in a cardboard box for months with no adverse effects...

(Where did you find a 1" thich board?)

But for long-term safety, I'd recommend a case. Farady shield, ground plane, better airflow are just a few reasons.

 

[ZOldDude]

I always set up new systems on the table first befor putting them into a case.

 

[StevieD]

Cats, dogs, small children, the wife, your best bud, snooping moms and dads, the next door neighbor, stupid cousin with a screwdriver in hand ..... did I leave anybody off of the list.

The list?

Reasons why cases are usually desired.

 

[Scotteq]

Shielding, Grounding, and protection from spliis and curious animals (yes, this includes friends and family....) are why computers live in cases.

But you are correct: It will certainly work perfectly well outside a case. And I bet could even be made to look really great *if* you got artistic with cables and routing. Especially with a water cooled system...

 

[wolfseeker2828]

[strike][/strike]Well this is probably only going to exist outside my case temporarily - just until I can finish my new system. Besides, the case I was using was heavy, even for an mATX case, and it was originally an HP computer so it had all these weird plastic things that were a pain to use. I'm planning on switching to an ATX board and leaving it outside of a case until I end up buying a case. I'm a cheapo like that.

 

[sneeks]

i intentionally built a case into a banana box once. i know one guy who built a media center into the wall of his house with just a screen showing. wireless keyboard/mouse.

 

[systemlord]

How about a static charge from toughing it or moisture. Its also not grounged to well, be smart get a case before regret it.

 

[pojomofo]

Yeah, with my luck, I would for sure end up with my mountain dew on all my components, I have actually spilled mountain dew on my case before, nice sticky mess

 

[evongugg]

You need to maintain a suction and airflow on the computer hot spots also. A box helps maintain an airflow.

 

[aevm]

What happens if you stick a finger in a fan accidentally? OK, you've probably got 10 fingers, so one or two less won't be the end of the world, but still, it's messy.

Also, a decent case with filters would help against dust.